Farm groups reassure public that pork is safe

As the number of swine-flu cases increases nationwide, state and national farm groups are scrambling to get out the word that it is safe to eat pork.

Tim Landis

As the number of swine-flu cases increases nationwide, state and national farm groups are scrambling to get out the word that it is safe to eat pork.

Both the Illinois Pork Producers Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau have posted advisories on their Web sites citing statements from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that swine flu is not spread by food consumption.

Even so, the National Pork Producers Council advised hog farmers to take precautions to protect their herds, including limiting public access, especially by anyone who recently may have been to Mexico.

Farmers also should make sure hogs have been vaccinated, set up shower-in/shower-out procedures, require hand and arm washing before and after contact with hogs, and consult with veterinarians.

A statement from the national pork council pointed out flu can be passed between humans and hogs.

“Swine flu, first found in 1930, causes fever and coughing in pigs, but is not usually severe enough to kill them. The virus is common in U.S. barns, so farmers routinely vaccinate herds,” the statement says.

A weekly outlook released Monday by the University of Illinois pointed out Russia already has restricted pork from Mexico and certain areas of the United States.

“Restrictions by other importers would not be surprising,” the report states.

Brian Duncan, a hog farmer in Polo, said he's concerned that other countries might be using the outbreak for economic gain.

“Pork is very competitive in the world market, and Russia wants to see its own domestic pork industry grow,” Duncan said. “We don’t want countries using this issue as an excuse not to buy our products. Pork is safe.”

Tim Landis can be reached at (217) 788-1536 or tim.landis@sj-r.com. The Rockford Register Star contributed to this report.